Is there any functional difference between a touring pfd and a ww pfd? I'm just finishing up my Pygmy Coho, and my plan is to use my Lotus ww pfd. Any reason this would be a bad idea? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I think that most ww pfd's are fine on the sea. In general, I don't think there is much difference in design. I use my Lotus river rescue PFD all the time, and the tow belt has come in handy several times. I think that a central front zipper is nice, since they are much easier to take on and off while sitting in the boat than side zips or no zips models. Also, I can't really think of a good reason to want to wear one of the new low flotation rodeo or squirt vests on the sea, except perhaps for comfort. Finally, it seems that the latest sea kayaking vests seem to have more attachments for pockets, which are useful for storing pretty rocks found along the way. Regards, kevin PS, congratulations on finishing your Coho. Enjoy! ___________________ / Kevin Whilden \ |Dept. of Geosciences \___ |University of Washington \ |kwhilden_at_u.washington.edu| \________________________/ On Mon, 15 Mar 1999, Brian Jernigan wrote: > Is there any functional difference between a touring pfd and a ww pfd? I'm > just finishing up my Pygmy Coho, and my plan is to use my Lotus ww pfd. Any > reason this would be a bad idea? > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
>Is there any functional difference between a touring pfd and a ww pfd? I'm >just finishing up my Pygmy Coho, and my plan is to use my Lotus ww pfd. Any >reason this would be a bad idea? A WW pfd is probably more strongly built, and usually has more flotation because the water could be heavily aerated, thus less buoyant. I sometimes wear my ww pfd in quietwater but I wouldn't wear my touring one in ww. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 3/15/99 8:16:07 PM Pacific Standard Time, pylka_at_castle.net writes: << A WW pfd is probably more strongly built, and usually has more flotation because the water could be heavily aerated, thus less buoyant. >> It ain't necessarily so. Maybe ww vests SHOULD be stronger AND more buoyant, but the former doesn't seem to be the case within the same manufacturer; and many ww _kayaking_ vests are actually built with less buoyancy to minimize coverage and bulk. Look at the manufacturer's specs to see what the actual buoyancy of each vest is. Most are just barely at or above the minimum required for Type III certification. Lotus is _one_ of the best-built jackets I've seen, but they also make a big point of calling their jackets "swim vests" -- by which they mean easier to swim in and less buoyant than a "life vest." Harold *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Another reason that ww pfds are sometimes made less buoyant is to make rolling easier. The more flotation, the more you get pinned to your deck, making it difficult to move your body down into the water as you set-up to roll. In terms of a pfd keeping you afloat when separated from your boat, a high buoyance pfd is usuallly superior, but in terms of avoiding a swim in the first place, a less buoyant pfd has its benefits. Cheers, Richard Culpeper www.geocities.com/~culpeper ---------- > From: HTERVORT_at_aol.com > To: pylka_at_castle.net; nbd1bpj_at_corpmail.ups.com; PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] What's the difference between a touring PFD and a ww PFD? > Date: Tuesday, March 16, 1999 2:29 AM > > In a message dated 3/15/99 8:16:07 PM Pacific Standard Time, pylka_at_castle.net > writes: > > << A WW pfd is probably more strongly built, and usually has more > flotation because the water could be heavily aerated, thus less buoyant. >> > > It ain't necessarily so. Maybe ww vests SHOULD be stronger AND more buoyant, > but the former doesn't seem to be the case within the same manufacturer; and > many ww _kayaking_ vests are actually built with less buoyancy to minimize > coverage and bulk. Look at the manufacturer's specs to see what the actual > buoyancy of each vest is. Most are just barely at or above the minimum > required for Type III certification. Lotus is _one_ of the best-built jackets > I've seen, but they also make a big point of calling their jackets "swim > vests" -- by which they mean easier to swim in and less buoyant than a "life > vest." > > Harold > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
><< A WW pfd is probably more strongly built, and usually has more > flotation because the water could be heavily aerated, thus less buoyant. >> > >It ain't necessarily so. Maybe ww vests SHOULD be stronger AND more buoyant, >but the former doesn't seem to be the case within the same manufacturer; and >many ww _kayaking_ vests are actually built with less buoyancy to minimize >coverage and bulk............. You're right. Some WW PFDs are built to minimum specs to make them class III and legal. One manufacturer offers a pfd for serious squirters from which you can remove the flotation!!! So you have the appearance of complying with the laws but no protection at all. They're called zero buoyancy vests. I've noticed the NRS now lists buoyancy figures in their catalog. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
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